Scholarships and Stipends
Special note: Stipend application information is now available for students to attend the June 2010 SLA Conference in New Orleans! Check the SLA Student Group blog for a full listing.
Please see the Special Library Association website for complete listings of and information about SLA scholarships, grants, and awards.
Here you will find listings about major scholarships, as well as those scholarships which are of special interest to students at FIMS.
SLA Scholarship
Award
The SLA Scholarship will be granted only for graduate study in librarianship leading to a master's degree at a recognized school of library or information science. Up to three $6,000 SLA scholarships are available each year. Scholarship winners are notified in May. The official announcement and the award presentations are made at the Association's Annual Conference in June.
Eligibility of Applicants
Applicants must be college graduates or college seniors with an interest in special librarianship. Extra consideration shall be given to members of the Special Libraries Association and to persons who have worked in and for special libraries, but the scholarships are not restricted to these persons. Preference shall be given to those who display an aptitude for and interest in special library work. Applicants must submit a statement of provisional acceptance by a recognized library school or information science program. Matriculated school applicants must submit an official transcript of his/her library school record to date. Applicants must submit evidence of financial need.
Application Instructions
Complete and submit five copies of the application form. Attach, to each of the five copies, a statement, 500-1000 words, typed on 8 1/2 x 11 paper, discussing: a) your experience in special libraries and b) the contribution you expect to make to special librarianship. Attach to the application, or have forwarded, an official transcript of your complete college scholastic record certified by the registrar of each college attended. Arrange to have reference letters from three persons, not relatives, sent directly to SLA. Your three letters of reference should address professional achievements and/or your general character. Submit evidence of provisional acceptance from a recognized school of library or information science. (Since library school acceptance is very often delayed, a scholarship application is accepted without this documentation. However, finalists must provide evidence of acceptance.) Students already enrolled in library school must submit evidence of enrollment and an official transcript of his/her library school record to date. A complete application including all of the above mentioned items (five copies of the application form and essay, transcripts and three reference letters) must be postmarked no later than October 31.
